Do you believe in Heaven ?

[Sunbliss]

Just that. Do you believe in Heaven? If so what do you think it’s like. Im not religious but do believe there is a Heaven or would like to believe there some place we will see loved ones again and find peace ourselves.

Why are atheists so negative? Always reminding people that they will one day rot away and everything is without meaning and pointless.

I don’t think the fact that human bodies will decompose, and there’s no afterlife in the religious sense, means everything is without meaning or pointless

You seem to be deliberately and cynically misrepresenting the beliefs of others in order to make them sound nastier, and yours sound more appealing. That seems rather negative to me. Dishonest, too.

There’s no contradiction in believing that our lives do have meaning and that there’s loads to be joyful about, while not believing in heaven/God.

There’s no contradiction in believing that our lives do have meaning and that there’s loads to be joyful about, while not believing in heaven/God.

Exactly. I know too many people who believe in an afterlife and don't appreciate what they have on this Earth because they think the next life will be better! I think this is also at the root of a lot of our environmental problems - if you realise this is all there is, you appreciate it and look after it a lot better!

@Lifeisgenerallyfun

If the cofe started letting people know about this it would be standing room only on a sunday😂.

I'm not sure you can have an orgy where everyone is so tightly packed they have to stand up... but I'm up for it if you are!

@SpokeTooSoon Why are atheists so negative?

That's weird, because I feel the same about religious types. It seems like either everything is a sin or forbidden - endless mortal misery is going to be rewarded in a 'jam tomorrow' better place, not this 'Vale of Tears' we currently inhabit. Atheist want their jam today. (Or marmalade. There was a atheistic schism about this in the 17th Century but we settled on 'Jam' as 'Strawberry marmalade' just sounded daft. And we managed not to burn too many of the Marmalady heretics at the stake before we got it settled either.)

Negative? Well, you don't see that many atheist flagellating themselves to expiate their sins or crawling up mountains on their knees bewailing what miserable repentant arseholes they are. Too busy having jammy fun.

If only some people are allowed into heaven, then its silly to say that you will be reunited with all your loved ones. They obviously wont all be their.

Why are evil people allowed into heaven? The entry requirement only seems to be 'accepting' Jesus 10 seconds before you die. Do you really want to spend eternity with nasty believers?

Meeting your loved ones in heaven has always been a bit tricky. The Mormons have to be sealed in a ceremony to partners/children they want to keep after death to avoid any awkwardness later. A patch that was added later when someone god spotted the problem.

And for all religions it depends on your loved ones saying the right things at the right time to get in. On the plus side you will be able to watch them suffering in hell if you get bored.

That depends on which of the many different Christian gods you follow of course, but lots of Christians have said they can't wait to see me burn in hell :)

What was that about Atheism being negative/depressing?

I don't understand how people who believe in heaven and an afterlife think that being an atheist mean you see no point in this life and it's a depressing attitued to life.

Surely it's the exact opposite.

Athiest thinking: this is your one life, enjoy it, make the most of it and live it to the full.

Believers in Heaven thinking: one day I'll die, go to a better place and meet up with all my loved ones. So what's the point in this life, it's just a stepping stone to be got passed on the way to a better place and eternal happiness. And of course, for those who believe in it, there's also the threat of eternal hell and damnation hanging over them if they 'sin'.

I know which way I prefer to think of the life I'm living.

I don't understand how people who believe in heaven and an afterlife think that being an atheist mean you see no point in this life and it's a depressing attitued to life.

I do.

It's because they're jealous of our hedonistic responsibility. Our attitude to life is so less weighed-down with guilt and "shall not"s and "rendering unto"s.

And, as we all know, jealousy is a sin - so it's like a closed feedback loop. The only way they can see to get out of it (without giving up the fundamental principle that drives it - i.e. belief in god/s) is that they have to convince themselves that we are even more unhappy and pessimistic than they are.